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Formula One: Grosjean takes Petrov's seat at Lotus Renault

Romain Grosjean will drive for the Lotus Renault team in Formula One for 2012. Photo by LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

GP2 champion Romain Grosjean is getting another shot at Formula One and will race alongside Kimi Räikkönen at Lotus Renault GP in 2012, replacing Vitaly Petrov.

Grosjean drove for the same team under its previous Renault identity in 2009, after Nelson Piquet Jr. was dropped. However, he struggled to make any impact in the shadow of Fernando Alonso. Having bounced back in GP2 this year, Grosjean took part in free practice sessions for the Lotus Renault team in Abu Dhabi and Brazil.

The announcement makes it clear that key sponsor Total is behind the appointment of the Franco-Swiss driver.

Petrov had a contract for 2012, and it remains to be seen how the team resolves that situation, and whether the Russian still has a chance elsewhere. The only obviously available seats are at Williams and HRT.

"I am thrilled to be one of the team's race drivers in 2012," Grosjean said. "There's a big grin on my face at the prospect of getting behind the wheel of next year's car, and I feel very privileged to be given this opportunity.

"To be racing alongside a former world champion and someone who is hungry and returning to Formula One will be a great experience and I'm sure will help raise my level of performance, too. I feel that my successful season in GP2 Series has helped me mature a lot, and I am a much more complete driver than I was last time I was competing in this sport.

"Returning to Enstone as a race driver feels like coming home. I will not disappoint, and I wish to thank all the people without whom this return to F1 would not have been possible."

Team principal Eric Boullier added, "Romain has shown a lot of maturity in the past 12 months, both through his GP2 Series victory and his development as third driver with us. We were impressed when he drove for us in the first practice sessions in Abu Dhabi and Brazil.

"We are confident that drafting him in to one of our driver's seats will help us in our rebuilding process. I would like to thank Vitaly Petrov and Bruno Senna for their contribution to the team's performance this year and I wish them all the best for the future."